Container means and blank for making same



United States Patent [72] Inventor Raymond E. Jacke Richmond, Va. [2]]Appl. No. 798,335 [22] Filed Feb. 11, 1969 [45] Patented Dec. 15, 1970[73] Assignee Reynolds Metals Company Richmond, Va. a corporation ofDelaware 54] CONTAINER MEANS AND BLANK FOR MAKING 27 Claims, 21 DrawingFigs.

[52] US. Cl 2 29/16 [51] Int. Cl 865d 5/00, B65d 5/64 [50] FieldolSearch 229/16, 24, 25, 37, 43, 41; 220/21, 42A, 42B

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 175,732 4/1876 Munson229/41(CUX) 8/1905 Collenburg 229/21 902,540 10/1908 HaWXhurSt, .lr.229/21 2,064,042 12/1936 Von Till 220/42(A) 2,483,063 9/1949 Ray229/43(X) 3,037,677 6/1962 Debs 229/3.5(M.F.)

Primary Examiner-David M. Bockenek Attorney-Glenn, Palmer, Lyne, Gibbs &Thompson ABSTRACT: This disclosure relates to an open-top paperboardcarton and a blank for making same wherein such carton has a rectangularbottom wall and a plurality of upwardly and outwardly divergingsidewalls which are easily flexed outwardly upon placing a productwithin such carton and the top portions of the sidewalls define asubstantially circular opening at the top of the carton which has adiameter" which is larger than a diagonal across the rectangular bottomwall; and, a high-strength top closure capable of being used with suchcarton wherein such top closure has sealing bead means of roughlysinusoidal configuration and capable of providing a fluidtight seal withminimum likelihood of tearing such carton.

PATENTEDDDECI slam SHEET 1 BF 5 INVENTOR. RAYMOND E. JACKE BY fall/M14,k2,

L inn a n HIS ATTORNEYS PATENTED um SEQYG 3547,1336

saw 2 0F 5 INVENTOR. RAYMOND E. JACKE BY M U wokj H 15 ATTORNEYSPATENTED DEC] 6 I970 547; 3

SHEET Q BF 5 i- ENTOR.

HIS ATTORNEYS CONTAINER MEANS AND BLANK FOR MAKING BACKGROUND OF THEINvENTIoN Food products such as fried chicken, pastry products, popcorn,and the like are often packaged in paperboard cartons wherein eachcartonmay be used as a serving dish from which the associated food product iseaten. :Many of the previously proposed cartons'used in this manner aredifficult to set up, comparatively expensive, and utilize an excessiveamount of material which increases the operating costs to the foodretailer. In addition, the top closures provided for many currently usedcontainers do not provide a tightseal and in instances where the closureis forced in position in an effort to provide such a tight seal eitherthe container or the closure may be damaged.

SUMMARY I This invention provides an open-toppaperboard carton andblanks for making same whereinsuch carton has a rectangular bottom walland a plurality of upwardly and outwardly diverging sidewalls which areeasily flexed outwardly upon placing a product, such as a food product,therewithin. The flexible sidewalls are flexed outwardly to define asubstantially circu- 7 lar openingat the top of the carton which has adiameter Other details, uses, and advantages of this invention willbecome apparent as the following description of the exemplaryembodiments thereof presented in the accompanying drawings proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 'The accompanying drawings showpresent exemplary embodiments of this invention, in which:

. FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exemplary blank utilized to make oneexemplary embodiment of the carton of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating opposite ends of the blank ofFIG. 1 fastened together to define a tubular structure having foursidewalls and prior to fastening together bottom extension flapsextending from each of the sidewalls to define a rectangular bottom wallfor the resulting carton;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2 and illustrating theextension flaps fastened together into a common plane;

FIG. 4 illustrates the completed carton of FIG. 3 and an associated topclosure in the form of a sheetlike cover which may be fastened inposition over the completed carton;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the completed carton of FIG. 3with a product contained therewithin so that the outwardly divergingsidewalls thereof are flexed to define a circular opening at the top ofthe carton over which the sheetlike cover is fastened in positionutilizing arcuate cuts provided in the sidewalls;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken essentiallyon the line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of another blank utilized to makeanother exemplarycarton of this invention;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating the blank of FIG. 7partially assembled;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 3 illustrating the carton formed fromthe blank of FIG. 7 completely assembled with its bottom extension flapsadhesively fastened together;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a plurality of assembledcartons of FIG. 9 stacked together. in nested relation ready for use;

FIG. 11 is-an exploded perspective view of the completed carton of FIG.9 with a sealed bag within the completed carton and illustrating a topclosure for such carton with an associated disclike insert arrangedthereabove which is adapted to be'snap fitted within the top closure;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating the top closure and itsdisclike insert fastened in position on the carton of FIG. 11

and its contents;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view takenessentially on the line 13-13 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a carton having a unique topclosure fastened in position thereon and showing a disclike insertarranged in position above such carton;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating the top closure of FIG. 14fastened in position on a carton having a circular bottom wall and afrustoconical sidewall; I

FIG. 16 is an enlarged view taken essentially on the line 16-16 of FIG.15;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged view looking upwardly toward the bottom of theclosure of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a side elevation of the closure of FIG. 13;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view with parts broken away takenessentially on the line 19-19 of FIG. 16;

FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 19 taken essentially on the line 20-20of FIG. 16; and

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 21-21 of FIG. 19.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS Reference is now made to FIGS.3-5 of the drawings wherein an exemplary carton of this invention isillustrated and designated generally by the reference numeral 25. Thecarton 25 comprises a rectangular bottom wall 26 and a plurality of fourflexible upwardly and outwardly diverging sidewalls 30, 31 32, and 33each having its lower edge portion fastened to theperipheral edge of thebottom'wall 26. Each sidewall 30-33 is easily flexed outwardly uponplacing a product within the carton 25 to define a substantiallycircular opening 34 at the top of the carton 25 and the opening 34 has adiameter. indicated at 35, which is larger than a diagonal 36 across therectangular bottom wall 26.

Each of the sidewalls 3033 has a top edge which in each instance isdesignated by the reference numeral 40 for convenience and ease ofdescription and each top edge 40 is arranged in an arcuate path. Uponplacing a product within the carton 25 the sidewalls 3033 flex or bulgeoutwardly to define the previously mentioned circular opening 34 and thetop edges 40 are arranged in a common plane which in this example of theinvention is arranged substantially horizontally.

The carton 25 has a plurality of substantially downwardly concave cutsin its sidewalls 3033 and a single cut 42 is provided and arrangedsubstantially centrally adjacent the top arcuate edge 40 of each sidewall. Each cut 42 defines a hinged flap 43 and a retaining ledge 44, seeFIG. 6, in its associated sidewall whereby each ledge 44 is providedimmediately adjacent the swinging end of its hinged flap 43.

The carton 25 has a top closure in the form of a sheetlike cover 45madeof a dead fold material, such as metallic foil containing aluminum.The cover sheet 45 is of square outline and is adapted to be blanketedover the top open end of the carton 25 once a product has been placedwithin such carton and as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6 corner portions 46 ofthe cover sheet 45 are pushed beneath associated retaining ledges 44upon pushing the hinged flaps 43 inwardly whereupon the cover sheet 45is firmly fastened in position at four locations corresponding to thefour locations of the hinged flaps 43. The cover sheet 45 provides asufficiently taut top surface to enable a plurality of filled cartons 25with their cover sheets 45 fastened in position to be vertically stackedso that the rectangular bottom wall 26 in each instance rests upon thetop surface of a cover sheet 45 of a lower carton 25.

The cover sheet 45 may be made of any suitable material and may befastened in position in the manner described above. Further, by makingthe cover sheet of square peripheral outline and pushing the cornerportions within the carton as shown in FIG. 6 an adequate cover isprovided and the sheet material is utilized with minimum waste.

The carton may be made in any suitable manner and utilizing any suitablefoldable material such as paperboard, or the like. In this example ofthe invention the carton 25 is made from the blank 52 illustrated inFIG. 1 of the drawings. The blank 52 may have one or both of its exposedsurfaces laminated with a suitable moisture impervious material such asmetallic foil and is suitably cut and scored and adapted to be assembledto define the resulting carton 25. The blank 52 comprises a plurality ofspaced score lines 53, 54, S5, and 56 defining sidewalls outwardly ofscore line 53, sidewall 31 between score lines 53 and 54, sidewall 32between score lines 54 and 55, sidewall 33 between score lines 55 and56, and a fastening flap extending outwardly of score line 56. Thefastening flap 60 is adapted to be suitably fastened to the outer endportion of sidewall 30, as by adhesive means, for example, to define anopen ended tubular structure as illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings.

Each sidewall 30-33 has a bottom end which is smaller in width than itstop end portion and each top end portion of the sidewalls 30-33terminates in an arcuateedge 40 as previously described. Each sidewall30, 31, 32, and 33 has an extension flap 62, 63, 64, and respectivelyextending outwardly beyond an associated score line which forconvenience and ease of description will be designated by the samereference numeral 66 for each sidewall 30-33. The fastening flap 60 alsohas an extension flap 70 extending outwardly of a score line 71 definingthe bottom edge of the fastening flap 60 and the base of the extensionflap 70. The extension flaps 6 2- 65 and flap 70 are folded into acommon plane to define the rectangular bottom wall 26 The extension flap64' has a locking tab 72 comprising its terminal end portion and acooperating locking slit 73 is provided in the extension flap 62. Uponassembling the blank 52 to define the open ended configurationillustrated in FIG. 2 it will be seen that the extension flaps 62 and64extend from oppositely arranged sidewalls 30 and 32. The extensionflaps 63, 65, and 70 are folded into a common plane whereupon flap 62 isfolded in position with flap 64 and its locking tab 72 folded outwardlythereof to fasten allof the extension flaps together in a common planewhereby an easily erected carton 25 is provided which uses a simplemechanical attachment and does not require the use of adhesive means orseparate fasteners to hold the bottom wall 26 together.

Another exemplary embodiment of this invention is illustrated in FIG.7-13 of the drawings. The carton illustrated in FIGS. 8I3 is verysimilar to the carton 25; therefore, such carton will be designated bythe reference numeral 25A and pans of the carton 25A which are verysimilar to corresponding parts of the carton 20 will be designated bythe same reference numeral as the carton 20 also followed by the letterdesignation A" and not described again in detail. Only those componentparts of the carton 25A which are substantially different fromcorresponding parts of the carton 25 will be designated by a newreference numeral also followed by the letter designation A" anddescribed in detail.

The carton 25A has a plurality of substantially downwardly concaveU-shaped cuts 75A in each of its sidewalls 30A, 31A, 32A, and 33A andeach cut 75A is arranged adjacent the top arcuate edge 40A of itssidewall and hence adjacent the top of the carton 25A. Each cut 75A hasa bight 76A and a pair of downwardly extending legs each designated bythe same reference numeral A and each U-s haped cut defines a hingedflap 77A and an associated retaining ledge 78A in the associatedsidewall of the carton 25A whereby each retaining ledge 78A in essenceadjoins the swinging end of its flap 77A.

The carton 25A has a fastening flap 60A and extension flaps 62A, 63A,64A, and 65A extending respectively from the lower end of sidewalls 30A,31A, 32A, and 33A. The fastening flap 60A and selected ones of the flaps62A, 63A, 64A, and 65A have adhesive means thereon which may be in theform of a moisture impervious adhesive material shown by a granularrepresentation and designated by the reference numeral 81A at a pair ofrepresentative locations in flaps 65A and 60A,

see FIG. 7. The blank 52A utilized to make the carton 25A is initiallyfastened together to define an open ended tubular structure by fasteningthe flap 60A against the. outer edge portion of the sidewall 30Awhereupon flaps 62A and 64A are first folded in position followed byflaps 65A and 63A with flap 63A being folded in position last. Theadhesive material 81A holds the flaps together in a substantiallyfluidtight manner.

The sidewalls 30A--33A of the carton 25A are also made of a flexiblematerial and upon placing a product within the carton 25A, see FIG. 11,the sidewalls are expanded outwardly so that the retaining ledges 78Aare arranged in a substantially horizontal plane with the top edges 40Aofeach sidewall 30A- 33A being arranged in a horizontal plane positionedabove the plane of the retaining ledges 78A.

As described above, each carton 25A is easily assembled from its blank52A and held together by suitable adhesive means and the upwardly andoutwardly flaring configuration of each canon 25A is such that aplurality of such cartons may be easily stacked in nested relation asillustrated in FIG. 10. In some applications of this invention where theblank 52A has a moisture impervious material such as metallic foilsuitably laminated in position to define its inside surface a linermembrane also made of moisture impervious material may be sealed inposition against the bottom wall utilizing any suitable known techniquewhereby a liquid product may be packaged and sold in the carton 25A. Itwill also be appreciated that the sidewalls 30A33A may be, easily flexedoutwardly by a product within the carton 25A causing the top arcuateedges 40A thereof to be arranged in a circular path in a substantiallyhorizontal plane whereby a top closure 84A may be easily fastened on thecarton 25A.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the exemplary carton 25A has a sealed bag 85Amade of a moisture impervious material inserted therein and such bag maybe filled with a product, such as cottage cheese, for example, wherebyupon placing the bag 85A within the carton 25A the cottage cheese willcause the sides of the bag 85A to expand outwardly against the sidewalls30A33A to define a top circular opening 34A in the carton 25A having adiameter 35A which is greater than a diagonal 36A across the rectangularbottom wall 26A, see FIG. 9. The top closure 84A for the carton 25Acomprises a lid having a substantially cylindrical wall 86A adapted tobe received within the top portion of carton25A and against the insidesurface of its sidewalls 30A33A.

The cylindrical wall 86A has an annular bead 90A adjacent the lowerportion thereof and the bead 90A has a diameter as indicated at 91Awhich is larger than the inside diameter of the carton 25A measured atthe positions of the retaining ledges 78A. The bead 90A is particularlyadapted to engage each of the hinged flaps 77A causing each flap 77A tomove outwardly as seen at 92A in FIG. 13 so that the top edge of thebead 90A is locked beneath the retaining ledges 78A defined in thesidewalls of the carton 25A. Thebead 90A may be defined by bulging anannular portion of the cylindrical wall 86A outwardly to define anoutwardly convex projection as viewed in cross section.

The cylindrical wall 86A also has a substantially cylindrical extension93A arranged above the annular bead 90A and over the top edge, alsodesignated by the numeral 40A, of the carton 25A and has a downwardlyextending skirt portion 96A the bottom edge of which is arranged beneaththe retaining ledges 78A. The lid 84A is easily fastened in position byrelatively moving such lid and filled carton 25A toward each other andthe inward movement is limited by an integral downwardly opening arcuatetransition section 100A, as viewed in cross section, arranged between atop portion 93A of the cylindrical wall 86A and the depending skirtportion 96A of lid 84A whichis normally arranged outwardly of the carton25A with the lid inserted in position. The lid 84A has a plurality ofstrengthening ribs 102A provided as an integral part thereof and eachextending radically outwardly from a central integral hub portion 103A.The ribs 102A provide added strength and rigidity for the lid 84A andhence for the top of the carton 25A upon placing a product within suchcarton. The top closure 84A may also be provided with a sheetlike insert104A of circular peripheral outline which is adapted to be snap fittedin position on the lid 84A.

As previously indicated, the annular bead 90A is arranged so that itextends in a single plane and the outwardly convex configuration thereofis defined by forming or bulging cylindrical wall 86A radiallyoutwardly. During the forming process an inwardly concave annularsurface 105A of circular peripheral outline is also formed in the wall86A. The sheetlike insert 104A is particularly adapted to be snap fittedwithin the annular surface 105A to hold such insert in position and theinsert may be easily pried off by wedging an object between the outeredge of the insert 104A and the lid 84A. The insert 104A providesgreater rigidity for the top closure 84A, enables vertical stacking of aplurality of filled and closed cartons 25A, and provides an expendablemember which may have identification means such as identification forthe contents of the carton 25A and price information contained thereon.

As will be apparent from FIG. 13 of the drawings, the integral annularbead 90A of lid 84A causes portions of the sidewalls of the carton 25Aarranged between each pair of U- shaped cut 75A to bulge slightlyoutwardly as illustrated at 110A. However, such bulging is notsufficient to cause tearing of the paperboard material from which thecarton 25A may be made and it will also be appreciated that the outsidediameter of the annular bead 90A is closely correlated with the insidediameter of the carton 25A immediately beneath the retaining ledges 78Ato assure the carton will not be torn.

The lid 84A may be made of any suitable material, such as metallic foilcontaining aluminum, and its central hub 103A and ribs 102A may beprovided as an integral part thereof. Once the lid 84A has completed itsusefulness as a top closure for the carton 25A it may be used as acoaster for supporting a beverage glass, for example, inasmuch as oncethe insert 104A has been removed the top surfaces of the ribs 102A andthe top surface of the hub 103A are arranged in a horizontal plane. Theareas between ribs 102A define normal reservoirs that may containcondensation from a beverage container or may contain spilled beverage;and the lower edges 111A of the ribs 102A are also arranged in ahorizontal plane and are of a sufficient diameter 112A to provide astable support for articles placed on the member 84A.

It may be desired to utilize a carton similar to the cartons 25 and 25Awithout providing any cuts in the upper portion of such carton. Further,it may be desired to provide such similar carton, designated by thereference numeral 25M, with a top closure capable of being fastened inposition in a fiuidtight manner and such a top closure is illustrated inFIGS. 14 through 21 of the drawings and designated by the referencenumeral 115. The closure 115 may also be used with a container 116 whichhas a circular bottom wall and a frustoconical sidewall 122.

With a product within the carton 25M, the upper top portions of itsflexible sidewalls bulge outwardly and cooperate to define asubstantially frustoconical portion which will be designated by thereference numeral 124. Similarly, inasmuch as the carton 116 has afrustoconical sidewall 122 the upper portion of sidewall 122 is also ofa frustoconical configuration and for convenience will also bedesignated by the reference numeral 124.

The closure 115 comprises a continuous wall 130 of circularcross-sectional outline which in this example of the invention has asubstantially frustoconical outer configuration and is adapted to beinserted within a cooperating tubular wall means such as thefrustoconical wall portion 124 of either carton 25M or 116.

The frustoconical wall 130 has bead means 131 of roughly sinusoidal orundulating configuration extending outwardly from its outer surface andthe sinusoidal bead means provides a continuous fiuidtight seal with anassociated frustoconical wall portion 124. The sinusoidal bead means 131may have any desired total displacement. as indicated at 132. and inthis example of the invention such displacement corresponds roughly tothe height indicated at 133 ofthe wall 130.

The top closure may be made of any suitable material and in this exampleof the invention such top closure is preferably made of metallic foilcontaining aluminum and hence is made of a material which is yieldablecompared to the rigidity of wall portion 124 which assures the provisionof a fiuidtight seal once it is inserted within the upper portion of an'associated carton. The yielding character of the sinusoidal bead 131 isalso such that when the closure is made of plastic it may be insertedwithin a substantially rigid container such as a glass or metalliccontainer to provide a fiuidtight seal without the likelihood of damageto the rigid container The top closure 115 has a plurality of integralridge means shown as a central upwardly projecting hublike ridge 135 anda plurality of radially outwardly extending ridges 136 arranged todefine a substantially star-shaped pattern as viewed either downwardlytoward the top of the closure 116 as seen in FIG. 16 or as viewedupwardly as seen in FIG. 17 and such starshaped pattern is designatedgenerally by the reference numeral 139 in FIG. 16. The surfaces definingthe star-shaped pattern provide a maximum number of light-reflectingsurfaces for optimum aesthetic appeal and also assure that a potentialviewer approaching the closure 115 with such closure arranged either ateye level or below eye level will be attracted by light reflecting fromsuch light-reflecting surfaces. The closure 115 also cooperates withreflective surfaces of adjacent cartons to attract a potential viewer tothe closure, and hence the carton and the product within the carton. Theintegral ridges 135 and 136 also provide added strength and rigidity forthe closure 115 and hence added strength and rigidity for the carton onwhich it is used. Furthermore, the terminal ends of the ridges 136 aredesigned to blend smoothly with the sinusoidal bead 131 to provide asliding track function to guide the lid into centered position andexpand the wall portion 124 of the carton to its maximum area.

The closure 115 is particularly useful in providing a fluidtight sealfor a container made of a tearable material such as paperboard or thelike. This result is achieved because sealing contact between the bead131 and the inside surface of the associated carton is made in anundulating path which is defined by the sinusoidal configuration of thebead means.

The sinusoidal bead 131 engages different portions of its associatedcarton and causes the frustoconical portion 124 of its carton to bulgeoutwardly at locations which are arranged in an infinite number ofhorizontal planes. In particular, it will be seen from FIG. 19 of thedrawings that each top portion 140 of the sinusoidal bead 131 engagesthe associated frustoconical portion 124 at a location indicated at 141.Similarly, as seen in FIG. 20, each bottom portion 143 of the sinusoidalbead 131 engages the lower portion of the frustoconical portion 124, asindicated at 144. Thus it is seen that the top portions 140 of thesinusoidal bead 131 are arranged in a substantially horizontal plane andengage the associated wall portion 124 in a corresponding horizontalplane. Similarly, the bottom portions 143 are also arranged in asubstantially horizontal plane and engage the associated wall portion ina corresponding horizontal plane.

Each portion of the sinusoidal bead 131 arranged intermediate points 140and 143 engages associated portions of the tubular wall 124 in aninclined path whereby the tubular wall portion 124 cannot be extendedoutwardly in a continuous circle arranged in a given plane. The sealingcontact as described above results in the formation of substantiallystraight sections or facets in the wall portion 124 between immediatelyadjacent portions of the bead 131 and typical facets are illustrated at146 and 150 in FIG. 21. From the above description, it will beappreciated that the sinusoidal configuration of the bead means 131assures the provision of optimum sealing contact in a continuousuninterrupted path yet without providing undue stress concentration inany given horizontal plane.

The closure 115 has an annular ledge 151 extending peripherallytherearound which is particularly adapted to prevent such closure frombeing pushed too far into its associated carton. The ledge 151 mayextend substantially horizontally outwardly from the top edge of thefrustoconical wall 130 or may have a downwardly hooking end 152 so as todefine an annular recess 153 extending peripherally around such wall.The recess 153 is particularly adapted to receive the upper end edge ofa tubular wall portion 124 of an associated carton and therebyfacilitate crimping the closure in position to assure tightness and atamper-proof condition.

The closure 115 may be simply and economically formed using a dead foldmaterial such as aluminum foil and utilizing cooperating male and femaledie means wherein a sheetlike blank of the metallic foil is insertedbetween the cooperating die means and a controlled pressure appliedthereagainst to define the closure 115.

The closure 115 may be used as a coaster inasmuch as the top surfaces ofthe radial projections 136 and the top surface of the central hub 135are arranged in a common plane with the areas indicated at 154 betweenprojections 135 and 136 defining reservoirs which are capable ofcollecting condensation or spilled fluid from an associated beveragecontainer, or the like. In using the closure 115 as a coaster thelowerportions 155 of the projections 136 define a stable supporting basehaving a diameter 156.

if desired, the closure 115 may also be provided with a sheetlike insert160 shown by dotted lines in FIG. 14 of the drawings and such sheetlikeinsert may be initially utilized to provide added strength and rigidityfor the top closure 115 and may also serve as a detachable insert whichmay contain identification means such as advertising, pricing, and thelike.

While present exemplary embodiments of this invention, and methods ofpracticing the same, have been illustrated and described, it will berecognized that this invention may be otherwise variously embodied andpracticed within the scope of the following claims.

lclaim:

1. A carton comprising, a rectangular bottom wall, a plurality offlexible upwardly and outwardly diverging sidewalls foldably connectedto said bottom wall, a fastening flap extending outwardly from one ofsaid sidewalls and fastening said one sidewall to an associatedadjoining sidewall, and an extension flap extending from each of saidsidewalls, said extension flaps being foldably fastened into a commonplane to define said bottom wall, said sidewalls having lower edgeportions fastened to the peripheral edge of said bottom wall and havingcooperating arcuate top edges, said sidewalls being easily flexedoutwardly upon placing a product within said carton to define asubstantially circular opening at the top of said carton having adiameter which is larger than a diagonal across said rectangular bottomwall, said outwardly flexed sidewalls causing said cooperating arcuatetop edges to be moved into a common plane to enable better sealing of atop closure thereagainst.

2. A carton as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising a pluralityof substantially downwardly concave cuts in said sidewalls adjacent thetop edge of said canon, said cuts being adapted to fasten an associatedcover means on said carton.

3. A carton as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising a pluralityof substantially downwardly concave U-shaped cuts in said sidewallsadjacent the top edge of said carton, each of said U-shaped cutsdefining a hinged flap which is adapted to be pushed outwardly toreceive a peripheral projection comprising a top closure for said cartonto thereby hold said top closure in a closed position.

4. In combination: a carton and a top closure for said carton, saidcarton comprising a bottom wall and a plurality of flexible upwardly andoutwardly diverging sidewalls having lower edge portions fastened to theperipheral edge of said bottom wall and having cooperating arcuate topedges, said sidewalls being easily flexed outwardly upon placing aproduct within said carton or forced out by portions of said top closurecausing said cooperating arcuate top edges to be moved into a commonplane to define a substantially circular opening at the top of saidcarton having a diameter which is larger than a diagonal across saidrectangular bottom wall, and said top closure being fastened over saidcircular opening and in substantially sealed relation against thecoplanar top edges.

5. A combination as set forth in claim 4 in which said plurality offlexible sidewalls comprise a plurality of four flexible sidewalls withone of said sidewalls having a fastening flap extending outwardlytherefrom and fastening said one sidewall to an associated adjoiningsidewall and said carton further comprising extension flaps extendingfrom said sidewalls and being foldably fastened into a common plane todefine said bottom wall.

6. A combination as set forth in claim 4 in which said carton furthercomprises a plurality of substantially downwardly concave cuts in saidsidewalls adjacent the top edge of said carton with each cut defining ahinged flap, and said top closure comprises a cover sheet made of a deadfold material adapted to be blanketed over said carton with portionsthereof pushed beneath associated edge portions of each associatedsidewall exposed by pushing each associated hinged flap inwardly.

7. A combination as set forth in claim 6 in which said cover sheetcomprises metallic foil which is easily folded and fastened in positionyet provides adequate strength enabling vertical stacking thereon of aplurality of similar cartons each containing an associated product.

8. A combination as set forth in claim 4 in which said carton furthercomprises a plurality of substantially downwardly concave cuts in saidsidewalls adjacent the top edge of said carton with each cut defining ahinged flap and a retaining ledge in the associated sidewall at theswinging end of each flap, said top closure comprises a lid having asubstantially cylindrical male wall adapted to be inserted within thetop portion of said carton, said cylindrical wall having an annularsealing bead means thereon which increases the outside diameter of saidcylindrical wall so that it is larger in diameter than the insidediameter of said carton measured adjoining said retaining ledges, andsaid bead means causing each of said hinged flaps to be moved outwardlyso that the top edge of said bead means is locked beneath the retainingledges in said sidewalls.

9. A combination as set forth in claim 8 in which said downwardlyconcave cuts comprise a plurality of downwardly concave substantiallyU-shaped cuts each having a bight and a pair of downwardly extendinglegs and upon expanding said sidewalls outwardly the bights of saidU-shaped cuts and the retaining ledges are arranged in a substantiallyhorizontal plane causing said annular bead means to be fastened inposition in said horizontal plane.

10. A combination as set forth in claim 8 in which said bead means isdefined by bulging an annular portion of said cylindrical wall outwardlyto define an outwardly convex projection as viewed in cross section.

11. A combination as set forth in claim 8 in which said cylindrical wallhas a cylindrical extension which extends above said bead means, overthe top edge of said carton, and downwardly around the outer top edgeportion of said carton to define a skirt having a bottom edge arrangedbeneath said retaining ledges.

12. A combination as set forth in claim 8 in which said bead means isdefined by bulging an annular portion of said cylin drical walloutwardly to define an outwardly convex projection as viewed in crosssection, said annular portion having an inwardly concave annular surfacedefined therein upon forming said bead means, said lid havingstrengthening ribs extending radially inwardly from said cylindricalwall, and further comprising a circular sheetlike insert snap fitted insaid in wardly concave annular surface, said ribs providing addedstrength and rigidity for said carton and said insert enabling easiervertical stacking of a plurality of closed cartons.

13. A combination as set forth in claim 4 in which said top closurecomprises a lid having a continuous wall of circular cross-sectionaloutline adapted to be inserted within the inside surface of saidsidewalls said wall having bead means of roughly sinusoidalconfiguration extending outwardly from its outer surface, and saidsinusoidal configuration enabling a tight seal between the top of saidcartonand said lid with minimum likelihood of tearing due to sealingcontact being made in an undulating path defined by said sinusoidalconfiguration of said bead means. p

14. A combination as set forth in claim 13 in which said continuous wallhas an annular ledge which includes a downwardly hooking end, said ledgebeing adaptedto engage the top edge of said carton to prevent said lidfrom being pushed too far within said carton and said downwardlyhookingend enabling said closure to be crimped in position.

15. A combination as set forth in claim 13 in which said lid has aplurality of integral ridge means which provide added strength andrigidity therefor and facilitate attachment thereof. 1

16. A combination as set forth in claim 13 in which said lid has a topsurface made of metallic foil containing aluminum and has a plurality ofintegral ridge means comprising said top surface, said ridge meansserving thedualpurpose of provid' 7 ing added strength and rigidity forsaid lid while defining a plurality of integral light-reflectingsurfaces which serve to attract a viewer's attention to said carton.

17. A combination as set forth in claim 13 in which said continuous wallhas an annular ledge adapted to engage the top edge of said carton toprevent said lid from beingpushed too far within said carton and furthercomprising a removable disclike insert fastened against inside surfacemeans of said continuous wall beneath said annular ledge, said insertproviding greater strength and rigidity for said- .lid and providingremovable identification means for the contents of said carton.

18. A closure for tubular substantially smooth inside wall means, saidclosure comprising, a substantially continuous male wall adapted to bereceived within said tubular wall means, said continuous wall havingbead means of roughly sinusoidal configuration extending outwardly fromits outer surface, and said sinusoidal bead means providing a continuousseal which extends in an undulating path defined by its sinusoidalconfiguration. 3

19. A closure as set means is made of a yieldable a fluidtight seal.

20. A closure as set forth in claim 18 in which said tubular wall meanscomprises a substantially frustoconical wallmeans made of a tearablematerial and said continuous wall com prises a cooperating frustoconicalwall having said sinusoidal bead means extending outwardly therefromassuring a tight seal with minimum likelihood of tearing of said tubularwall means due to scaling contact being made in said undulating path.

21. A closure as set forth in claim 18 and further comprising aplurality of integral ridge means on said closure, said ridge meansextending substantially completely across said closure material assuringthe provision of forthin claim is a which said bad to provide addedstrength and rigidity therefor and facilitate attachment thereof.

22. A closure as set forth in claim 21 made of metallic foil containingaluminum with said ridge means defining a plurality of integrallight-reflecting surfaces capable of reflecting light in a plurality ofdirections. 7

23. A closure as set forth in claim 22 in which said ridge means definea substantially star-shaped pattern having an optimum number oflight-reflecting surfaces.

24. A closure as set forth in claim 21- in which said continuous wallhas an annular ledge which includes a downwardly hooking end, said ledgebeing adapted to engage the top edge of said carton to prevent saidclosure from being pushed too far within-said tubular wall means andsaid downwardly hooking end enabling said closure to be fastened tightlyin position.

25. A blank being suitablycut and scored and adapted to be assembled todefine a resulting carton, said blank being made of a flexible materialand comprising, a lurality of sidewalls foldably interconnected alongassociate side edges thereof,

each of said sidewalls having a bottom end which is smaller in widththan its top end portion, with each top. end portion terminating in anarcuate edge, a plurality of extension flaps each extending from abottom end of an associated sidewall, said extension flaps being adaptedto be fastened together in a common plane to define a rectangular bottomwall for said resulting carton with said resulting carton having itssidewalls arranged in an upwardly and outwardly diverging manner so thatupon placing a product within said resulting carton said sidewalls areeasily flexed outwardly by said product or an associated top closurecausing said arcuate edges to be moved into a common plane to define asubstantially circular opening at the top of said resulting cartonhaving a diameter which is i larger than a diagonal across therectangular bottom wall of said carton, and a plurality of substantiallyU-shaped slits in each of said sidewalls, each of said slits beingarranged adjacent an associated arcuate edge and each U-shaped slitopening toward an associated extension flap and defining a hinged flapwhich is adapted to be moved in a hinged manner to define supportingledge means capable of locking in position the top closure for saidresulting carton.

' 26. A closure asset forth'in claim 18 havin'ga plurality ofintegral'ridge means comprised of a central hublike ridge and aplurality of adjoining radially outwardly extending ridges arranged todefine a star-shaped pattern, said ridges providing added strength andrigidity for said closure and facilitating attachment thereof.

27. A closure as set forth in claim 26 wherein said central ridge andsaid radially extending ridges have top surfaces arranged in a commonplane, said radially extending ridges having lower portions providing astable supporting base upon resting said closure thereon, and saidcentral ridges and radial ridges defining reservoirs therebetweencapable of collecting liquid therein, whereby said closure may also beused as a coaster for a beverage glass.

